Overload of the Primary Caregiver of Patients with Terminal Cancer

Abstract

Objective: to identify associated factors and level of primary caregiver overload in patients with terminal cancer. Methods: cross-sectional analytical study, 151 primary caregivers of patients with terminal cancer were assessed, from May to November 2018, attending the Regional General Hospital No. 1 with Family Medicine of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Overload was assessed using the Zarit Scale. Frequencies, percentages, medians and limits were calculated for the analysis. Variables were compared using the χ² or Fisher’s exact and the statistical Mann-Whitney U test. Inferential statistics were performed by fitting a logistic regression model. Results: 33.77% of the primary caregivers had overload. Urologic and gynecologic cancer were related to greater overload of the caregiver. In the multivariate analysis it was found that when the primary caregiver is a child, the possibility of overburden increases 4.45 times more, as well as the fact of being a second and third degree relative (4.37 times); basic-high school and bachelor’s degree schooling reduce the possibility of overburden by 89% and 93%, respectively. Conclusions: a significant number of primary caregivers presented overload, the associated factor was kinship, such overburden decreases when there is a higher academic preparation.